Thin, multi-focal plane, augmented reality eyewear

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing an augmented reality system having one or more optical structures capable of resolving virtual objects on one or more virtual object focal planes while providing a sufficient level of transmittivity and optical correction to simultaneously resolve real-world, physical, objects. The lens structures include a plurality of waveguide layers including waveguide layers demonstrating red-green sensitivity and waveguide layers demonstrating blue-green sensitivity. One or more plano-concave lenses may be used to draw virtual objects from a relatively distant first virtual object focal plane to a relatively closer second virtual object focal plane. One or more plano-convex lenses may be used to cause physical objects to appear at a distance from the augmented reality eyewear system approximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to augmented reality eyewear, and morespecifically to augmented reality eyewear implemented using waveguidetechnology.

BACKGROUND

Augmented reality eyewear displays virtual objects within a real-worldfield-of-view containing physical objects. Augmented reality technologyis applicable in many instances and for many applications, such asgame-playing, overlaying information about real-world objects within theeyewear user's field-of-view. Typically, the augmented reality eyewearreceives an optical signal and displays the virtual object at a definedlocation within the field-of-view of the eyewear user. Severalchallenges exist, however, with the design of such eyewear and with thedisplay of the virtual objects, particularly with respect to real-worldphysical objects that appear within the field-of-view of the eyewearuser. First, real-world, physical, objects may be positioned atvirtually any distance from the eyewear user, coordinating the focalplane of the displayed virtual object with the focal plane of a physicalobject such that the eyewear user is able to focus on both objectspresents the first challenge. Second, augmented reality eyewear reliesupon an optical system that includes lenses and display technology suchas waveguide layers that, packaging the lenses and display technology tomaintain an acceptable level of optical transmittivity presents thesecond challenge. Third, the combination of lenses and displaytechnology increases the weight of the augmented reality eyewear,maintaining the weight and balance of the eyewear to assure acomfortable user experience presents the third challenge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of various embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter will become apparent as the following Detailed Descriptionproceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realitysystem in which a lens structure includes a waveguide, a first opticalelement, and a second optical element, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system that includes a first lens structure that includes afirst waveguide, a first optical element, and a second optical elementand a second lens structure that includes a second waveguide, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system that includes a first lens structure that includes: afirst waveguide, a second waveguide, a first optical element, and asecond optical element and a second lens structure that includes a firstwaveguide, a first optical element, and a second optical element, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system that includes a first lens structure having: a firstwaveguide, a second waveguide, a first optical element, and a secondoptical element and a second lens structure having: a first waveguide, asecond waveguide, a first optical element, and a second optical element,in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative triple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system that includes a first lens structurehaving: a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a first optical element,a second optical element, and a third optical element, and a second lensstructure having: a third waveguide, a fourth waveguide, a first opticalelement, and a second optical element, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative triple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system that includes a first lens structurehaving: a first, single-layer, RG waveguide, a second, single-layer, BGwaveguide, a first optical element, a second optical element; and, asecond lens structure having: a third, multi-layer, waveguide, a firstoptical element, and a second optical element, in accordance with atleast one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative double focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system that includes a first lens structurehaving: a first, two-layer waveguide and a second, single-layer, RGwaveguide, a first optical element, and a second optical element; and, asecond lens structure having: a third, two-layer waveguide and a fourth,single-layer, BG waveguide, a first optical element, and a secondoptical element, in accordance with at least one embodiment describedherein;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative quadruple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system that includes a first lens structurehaving: a first, single-layer, RG waveguide, a second, single-layer, BGwaveguide, a third, single-layer, RG waveguide, a first optical element,a second optical element, a third optical element, and a fourth opticalelement; and, a second lens structure having: a fourth, single-layer BGwaveguide, a fifth, single-layer, RB waveguide, and a sixth,single-layer, BG waveguide, a first optical element, a second opticalelement, and a third optical element, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dual focal plane,stereoscopic, augmented reality eyewear system that includes a firstlens structure having: a first, single-layer, BG waveguide, a second,single-layer, RG waveguide, a first optical element, and a secondoptical element; and, a second lens structure having: a third,single-layer RG waveguide, a fourth, single-layer, BG waveguide, a firstoptical element, and a second optical element, in accordance with atleast one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dual focal plane,stereoscopic, augmented reality eyewear system that includes a firstlens structure having: a first, single-layer, BG waveguide, a second,single-layer, RG waveguide, a first optical element, and a secondoptical element; and, a second lens structure having: a third,single-layer RG waveguide, a fourth, single-layer, BG waveguide, a firstoptical element, and a second optical element, in accordance with atleast one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 9A is an elevation of an illustrative bifocal augmented realityeyewear system that includes an upper portion capable of displayingvirtual objects at the first, relatively distant, virtual object focalplane and a lower portion capable of displaying virtual objects at thesecond, relatively close, virtual object focal plane, in accordance withat least one embodiment described herein; and

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional elevation of the bifocal lens depicted inFIG. 9A that more clearly depicts the two-layer waveguide disposedbetween the first optical element and the second optical element, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein.

Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with referencebeing made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modificationsand variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods disclosed herein beneficially aggregate lenslayers, such as polycarbonate lenses used for correction of myopiaand/or presbyopia, with up to three waveguide layers resulting in amulti-focal plane display that may be fabricated or manufactured toprovide prescription lens behaviors. The systems and method disclosedherein beneficially provide lens structures suitable for use inaugmented reality applications that have a transmittance of greater than70%. The systems and methods disclosed herein beneficially provide alightweight, form-fitting, eyewear that does not obstruct the eyewearuser's field-of-view.

The systems and methods disclosed herein make use of two-dimensional(2D) waveguides. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed hereinmake use of a first waveguide layer that preferentially emitselectromagnetic energy in the blue to green portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum and second waveguide layer that preferentiallyemits electromagnetic energy in the red to green portions of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum. These waveguide layers may be combined toprovide a waveguide that covers substantially all of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum while maintaining a transmittance through thewaveguide in excess of 80% and a waveguide thickness of less than 3.5millimeters.

As used herein, the term “virtual object focal plane” refers to anapparent distance that a virtual object appears measured with respect toa waveguide producing the human-visible image of the virtual object.

As used herein, the terms “blue-green waveguide: and “BG waveguide”refer to a waveguide structure capable of propagating and emittingelectromagnetic energy primarily in the blue to green visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, having wavelengths from about 380 nanometersto about 600 nanometers. Such BG waveguides may also propagate and emitelectromagnetic energy in the green to red visible electromagneticspectrum, although at lower levels relative to the propagation andemission of electromagnetic energy in the blue to green visibleelectromagnetic spectrum.

As used herein, the terms “red-green waveguide: and “RG waveguide” referto a waveguide structure capable of propagating and emittingelectromagnetic energy primarily in the red to green visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, having wavelengths from about 500 nanometersto about 790 nanometers. Such RG waveguides may also propagate and emitelectromagnetic energy in the blue to green visible electromagneticspectrum, although at lower levels relative to the propagation andemission of electromagnetic energy in the red to green visibleelectromagnetic spectrum.

As used herein, the term “light” refers to electromagnetic waves and/orelectromagnetic energy occurring within all or a portion of thehuman-visible electromagnetic spectrum extending from wavelengths offrom about 380 nanometers to about 790 nanometers.

Typically, an embedded virtual object is displayed at a fixed focalplane of about 3.5 to 5 meters in front of the lens structure while theplane of physical objects appearing in the field-of-view of theaugmented reality eyewear user may be closer, for example at arm'slength or about 1 meter. On the other hand, physical objects may appearat a variety of distances, some of which are vastly different than the3.5 to 5 meter distance to the embedded virtual object. The differencein the apparent distance to embedded virtual objects and one or morephysical objects causes eyestrain due to the accommodation-convergenceconflict. That is, the viewer's eyes converge (rotate) upon a particularobject that is at some distance. But to see that virtual object infocus, the user's eyes must also focus, or accommodate, to theaccommodation distance. The need to refocus an augmented reality systemuser's eyes to accommodate the difference in the focal plane of thevirtual object and the real-world position of the physical objectcreates stress on the user and may cause discomfort to the eyes of theaugmented reality system user. The difference between the convergencedistance and the accommodation distance causes eyestrain. Since thedisplays described here can render virtual objects at more than oneaccommodation distance, they can significantly reduce eyestrain. Whileone could use a plano-concave lens positioned between the waveguideproviding the image of the virtual object and the augmented realitysystem user's eyes to “pull in” the focal plane of the virtual object toabout 1 meter, such a lens would also tend to “pull in” the real-world,physical, object as well. Thus, a simple plano-concave lens may reduce,but does not eliminate the eye stress caused by the difference in thefocal plane of the virtual object and the apparent physical location ofthe real-world object.

The systems and methods described herein provide lens structures inwhich optical lenses (e.g., plano-convex and plano-concave lenses) arecombined with blue-green waveguide (hereinafter “BG waveguide”) andred-green waveguide (hereinafter, “RG-waveguide” layers to provide anaugmented reality having a multiple focal planes for virtual objectsdisplayed by the waveguide layers. In embodiments, one, two, three, orfour (or more) virtual object focal planes may be similarly accommodatedusing a lens structure containing a number of lenses, BG waveguides, andRG waveguides.

An augmented reality vision system is provided. The augmented realityvision system may include: a lens structure including: a waveguidecoupleable to an image source, the waveguide having a first surface anda transversely opposed second surface, the waveguide to: output ahuman-visible image of a virtual object using at least a portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and pass at least a portion ofelectromagnetic energy reflected by a physical object appearing within afield-of-view of the lens structure; a first optical element disposedproximate the second surface of the waveguide, the first optical elementpositioned between the waveguide and an augmented reality system user,the first optical element to: pass the human-visible image of thevirtual object and at least a portion of the electromagnetic energyreflected by the physical object appearing within the field-of-view ofthe lens structure; and draw the human-visible virtual object from afirst, relatively distant, virtual object focal plane to a second,relatively close, virtual object focal plane; a second optical elementdisposed proximate the first surface of the waveguide, the first convexoptical element to: pass only the electromagnetic energy reflected bythe physical object appearing within the field-of-view of the lensstructure; and cause the physical object to appear to the augmentedreality system user at a distance about equal to the second, relativelyclose, virtual object focal plane.

An augmented reality eyewear apparatus is provided. The augmentedreality eyewear apparatus may include: a first lens structure having afirst optical axis and a minimum transmissivity of at least 70%, thefirst lens structure including: a first waveguide disposed transverse tothe first optical axis and positioned at least partially between aplano-concave optical element and an augmented reality eyewear user anda plano-convex optical element positioned on a side of the firstwaveguide opposite the first optical element, the first waveguide tooutput a human-visible image of a virtual object using at least aportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; the plano-concaveoptical element to pass the human-visible image of the virtual objectand at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy reflected by thephysical object appearing within the field-of-view of the first lensstructure; and the plano-convex optical element to pass only theelectromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearing withinthe field-of-view of the first lens structure; a second lens structurehaving a second optical axis and a minimum transmissivity of at least70%, the second lens structure including: a second waveguide disposedtransverse to the second optical axis and positioned at least partiallybetween a plano-concave optical element and the augmented realityeyewear user and a plano-convex optical element positioned on a side ofthe second waveguide opposite the first optical element, the secondwaveguide to output a human-visible image of a virtual object using atleast a portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; theplano-concave optical element to pass at least a portion of thehuman-visible image of a virtual object and at least a portion of theelectromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearing withinthe field-of-view of the second lens structure; and the plano-convexoptical element to pass only the electromagnetic energy reflected by thephysical object appearing within the field-of-view of the second lensstructure; and a frame physically coupling the first lens structure tothe second lens structure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realitysystem 100 in which a lens structure 110 includes a waveguide 120, afirst optical element 130, and a second optical element 140, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein. Inembodiments, the waveguide 120 may include a first, single-layer, BGwaveguide 120A disposed proximate a second, single-layer, RG waveguide120B. A virtual object 160 may be provided to the waveguide 120 fordisplay to the augmented reality system user 102. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, the waveguide 120 may display the virtual object 160at a first virtual object focal plane 162 relatively distant from thelens structure 110 and a physical object 170 in the field-of-view of thelens structure 110 may be positioned a first distance 172 that isrelatively closer to the lens structure 110.

The first optical element 130 may be positioned or otherwise disposedproximate the waveguide 120, between a surface of the waveguide 120 andthe augmented reality system user 102. By positioning the first opticalelement 130 between the waveguide 120 and the augmented reality systemuser 102, the image of the virtual object 160 passes through the firstoptical element 130. The first optical element draws the virtual object160 from the first virtual object focal plane 162 to a second virtualobject focal plane 164 relatively closer to the lens structure 110.Additionally, since the ambient light reflected from the physical object170 also passes through the first optical element 130, the apparentdistance between the lens structure 110 and the physical object 170 isreduced from the first distance 172 to a second distance 174 closer tothe lens structure 110.

To correct the apparent distance between the physical object 170 and thelens structure 110, a second optical element 140 may be disposedproximate the waveguide 120 in transverse opposition to the firstoptical element 130. The second optical element 140 corrects theapparent distance between the lens structure 110 and the physical object170 such that the apparent distance between the lens structure 110 andthe physical object 170 is approximately equal to the second virtualobject focal plane 164. Since the image of the virtual object 160 doesnot pass through the second optical element 140, the position of thevirtual object 160 remains at the first virtual object focal plane 164.Thus, both the virtual object 160 and the physical object 170 appear infocus to the augmented reality system user 102, with both objectsfocused on the a single plane 150.

The waveguide 120 may include one or more full-spectrum, single-layerwaveguides capable of passing all or a portion of the human-visibleelectromagnetic spectrum. The waveguide 120 may include one or moresingle-layer BG waveguides 120A, one or more single-layer RG waveguides120B, or any combination thereof. The waveguide 20 may include anynumber and/or combination of currently available and/or future developedwaveguide structures, including but not limited to: one or morediffractive waveguides, one or more reflective waveguides, one or morepolarization-based waveguides, one or more holographic waveguides, andsimilar. In embodiments, the waveguide 120 may include a single-layer BGwaveguide 120A disposed proximate a single-layer RG waveguide 120B, suchas depicted in the example embodiment in FIG. 1. The waveguide 120provides the image of the virtual object 160 to the augmented realitysystem user 102. The waveguide 120 may be communicatively coupled to animage source. Example processor-based devices include but are notlimited to: portable computers, wearable computers, smartphones, laptopcomputers, cloud based file servers, and similar. In embodiments, thewaveguide 120 may have a transmittivity of: greater than about 70%;greater than about 80%; greater than about 85%; or greater than about90%. In embodiments, the waveguide 120 may include a generally planarstructure having a first surface disposed near the augmented realitysystem user 102 and a transversely opposed second surface. Inembodiments, the waveguide 120 is aligned with the optical axis of thelens structure.

The first optical element 130 may include a simple lens or a compoundlens system. In embodiments, the first optical element 130 includes aplano-concave lens disposed proximate the first surface of the waveguide120. The first optical element 130 may include one or more lensesfabricated using one or more materials such as glass, polycarbonate,plastic, high-index plastic, and similar. The first optical element 130draws 132A the virtual object 160 from the relatively distant firstvirtual object focal plane 162 to the relatively closer second virtualobject focal plane 164. The first optical element 130 also draws 132Athe apparent distance between the lens structure 110 and the physicalobject 170 from a relatively distant first distance 172 to a relativelycloser second distance 174.

The second optical element 140 may include a simple lens or a compoundlens system. In embodiments, the second optical element 140 includes aplano-convex lens disposed proximate the second surface of the waveguide120, transversely opposite the first optical element 130. The secondoptical element 140 may include one or more lenses fabricated using oneor more materials such as glass, polycarbonate, plastic, high-indexplastic, and similar. The second optical element 140 pushes 142A theapparent distance between the lens structure 110 and the physical object170 from the relatively close second distance 174 to the relativelydistant first distance 172. In embodiments, the first distance 174 maybe equal to or approximately equal to the second virtual object focalplane 164 such that the virtual object 160 and the physical object 170appear on the same focal plane 150 to the augmented reality system user102. In embodiments, the first lens structure 110 may have atransmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%;greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater than about85%.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system 200 that includes a first lens structure 110A thatincludes a first waveguide 120 ₁, a first optical element 130, and asecond optical element 140 and a second lens structure 110B thatincludes a second waveguide 120 ₂, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein. As depicted in FIG. 2, the augmentedreality eyewear system 200 permits the augmented reality system user 102to use the first lens structure 110A to focus on a first virtual object210 that appears at the relatively close second virtual object focalplane 164. In addition, as described above with regard to FIG. 1, thefirst lens structure 110A includes the first optical element 130 and thesecond optical element 140 such that apparent distance to a physicalobject positioned in the field-of-view of the augmented reality eyewearsystem 200 appears at a distance that is approximately equal to thesecond virtual object focal plane 164. Since the second lens structure110B includes only the waveguide 120, the image of a second virtualobject 220 appears at the relatively distant first virtual object focalplane 162.

In embodiments, the first waveguide 120 ₁ may include a single layerwaveguide or two layer waveguide. The first waveguide 120 ₁ may includea two layer waveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A andone or more RB waveguides 120B. The first lens system 110 A may have atransmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%;greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater than about85%. In embodiments, the first lens system 110A may have a thickness ofabout: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7 mmor less measured along the optical axis of the first lens system 110A.

In embodiments, the second waveguide 120 ₂ may include a single layerwaveguide or two-layer waveguide. The second waveguide 120 ₂ may includea two-layer waveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A andone or more RB waveguides 120B. Although not depicted in FIG. 2, thesecond waveguide 120 ₂ may be disposed proximate one or morenon-corrective lenses that provide a substrate and/or cover for thesecond waveguide 120 ₂. The second lens system 110B may have atransmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%;greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater than about85%. In embodiments, the second lens system 110B may have a thickness ofabout: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7 mmor less measured along the optical axis of the second lens system 110B.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the augmented reality system user102 will use the first lens structure 110A to view one or more physicalobjects and one or more first virtual objects 210 at a relatively closeapparent distance/relatively close second virtual object focal plane164. In embodiments the relatively close second virtual object focalplane 164 may include a focal plane that provides an apparent distancebetween the first lens structure 110A and the second virtual objectfocal plane 164 of about: 2 meters (m) or less; 1.5 m or less; or 1 m orless. The augmented reality system user 102 will use the second lensstructure 110B to view one or more second virtual objects 220 at arelatively distant first virtual object focal plane 162. Thus, in thesystem depicted in FIG. 2 the augmented reality system user 102 will usea first eye to view one or more physical objects and the one or morefirst virtual objects 210 at the relatively close second virtual objectfocal plane 164 and a second eye to view the one or more second virtualobjects 220 at the relatively distant first virtual object focal plane162.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system 300A that includes a first lens structure 110A thatincludes: a first waveguide 120 ₁, a second waveguide 120 ₂, a firstoptical element 130, and a second optical element 140 and a second lensstructure 110B that includes a first waveguide 120 ₃, a first opticalelement 130, and a second optical element 140, in accordance with atleast one embodiment described herein. In the first lens structure 110A,an optically transparent material 310 at least partially fills thehemispherical void space between the first optical element 130 and thesecond waveguide 120 ₂. As depicted in FIG. 3A, the augmented realityeyewear system 300A permits the augmented reality system user 102 to usethe first lens structure 110A to focus on both a first virtual object320 that appears at the relatively close second virtual object focalplane 164 and a second virtual object 330 that appears at the relativelydistant first virtual object focal plane 162. In addition, the firstlens structure 110A includes the first optical element 130 and thesecond optical element 140 such that apparent distance to a physicalobject positioned in the field-of-view of the augmented reality eyewearsystem 200 appears at a distance that is approximately equal to thesecond virtual object focal plane 164.

The first waveguide 120 ₁ may include a single layer waveguide ortwo-layer waveguide. The first waveguide 120 ₁ may include a two-layerwaveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A and one or moreRB waveguides 120B. The second waveguide 120 ₂ may include a singlelayer waveguide or two-layer waveguide. The first waveguide 120 ₂ mayinclude a two-layer waveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides120A and one or more RB waveguides 120B. The first lens structure 110Amay have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the first lens system 110A may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the first lensstructure 110A.

The third waveguide 120 ₃ may include a single layer waveguide ortwo-layer waveguide. The third waveguide 120 ₃ may include a two-layerwaveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A and one or moreRB waveguides 120B. The second lens structure 110B includes the firstoptical element 130 and the second optical element 140 such that avirtual object 340 appears at the relatively close second virtual objectfocal plane 164 and the apparent distance to a physical objectpositioned in the field-of-view of the augmented reality eyewear system300A also appears at a distance that is approximately equal to thesecond virtual object focal plane 164. The second lens structure 110Bmay have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the second lens system 110B may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the second lensstructure 110B.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of an illustrative augmented realityeyewear system 300B that includes a first lens structure 110A having: afirst waveguide 120 ₁, a second waveguide 120 ₂, a first optical element130, and a second optical element 140 and a second lens structure 110Bhaving: a first waveguide 120 ₃, a second waveguide 120 ₄, a firstoptical element 130, and a second optical element 140, in accordancewith at least one embodiment described herein. In the first lensstructure 110A, an optically transparent material 310 at least partiallyfills the hemispherical void space between the first optical element 130and the second waveguide 120 ₂. In the second lens structure 110B, anoptically transparent material 310 at least partially fills thehemispherical void space between the first optical element 130 and thesecond waveguide 120 ₄.

As depicted in FIG. 3B, the augmented reality eyewear system 300Bpermits the augmented reality system user 102 to use the first lensstructure 110A to focus on both a first virtual object 320 that appearsat the relatively close second virtual object focal plane 164 and asecond virtual object 330 that appears at the relatively distant firstvirtual object focal plane 162. In addition, the first lens structure110A includes the first optical element 130 and the second opticalelement 140 such that apparent distance to a physical object positionedin the field-of-view of the augmented reality eyewear system 300Aappears at a distance that is approximately equal to the second virtualobject focal plane 164. Similarly, the second lens structure 110Bpermits the augmented reality system user 102 to focus on both a firstvirtual object 340 that appears at the relatively close second virtualobject focal plane 164 and a second virtual object 350 that appears atthe relatively distant first virtual object focal plane 162. Inaddition, the second lens structure 110B includes the first opticalelement 130 and the second optical element 140 such that apparentdistance to a physical object positioned in the field-of-view of theaugmented reality eyewear system 300B appears at a distance that isapproximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164.

The first waveguide 120 ₁ may include a single layer waveguide ortwo-layer waveguide. The first waveguide 120 ₁ may include a two-layerwaveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A and one or moreRB waveguides 120B. The second waveguide 120 ₂ may include a singlelayer waveguide or two-layer waveguide. The second waveguide 120 ₂ mayinclude a two-layer waveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides120A and one or more RB waveguides 120B. The first lens structure 110Amay have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the first lens system 110A may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the first lensstructure 110A.

The first waveguide 120 ₃ may include a single layer waveguide ortwo-layer waveguide. The first waveguide 120 ₃ may include a two-layerwaveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides 120A and one or moreRB waveguides 120B. The second waveguide 120 ₄ may include a singlelayer waveguide or two-layer waveguide. The second waveguide 120 ₄ mayinclude a two-layer waveguide that includes one or more BG waveguides120A and one or more RB waveguides 120B. The second lens structure 110Bmay have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the second lens system 110B may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the second lensstructure 110B.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative triple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system 400 that includes a first lensstructure 110A having: a first waveguide 120 ₁, a second waveguide 120₂, a first optical element 130, a second optical element 140, and athird optical element 410, and a second lens structure 110B having: athird waveguide 120 ₃, a fourth waveguide 120 ₄, a first optical element130, and a second optical element 140, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein. As depicted in FIG. 4, in embodiments, thethird optical element 410 may be disposed transverse to the optical axisof the first lens structure 110 and positioned between the secondwaveguide 120 ₂ and the augmented reality system user 102. In the firstlens structure 110A, an optically transparent material 420 at leastpartially fills the hemispherical void space between the first opticalelement 130 and the second waveguide 120 ₂. In the second lens structure110B, an optically transparent material 420 at least partially fills thehemispherical void space between the first optical element 130 and thefourth waveguide 120 ₄.

The third optical element 410 included in the first lens structure 110Amay include a simple lens or a compound lens system. In embodiments, thethird optical element 410 includes a plano-concave lens disposedproximate a first surface of the second waveguide 120 ₂. The thirdoptical element 410 may include one or more lenses fabricated using oneor more materials such as glass, polycarbonate, plastic, high-indexplastic, and similar.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the augmented reality eyewear system 400 permitsthe augmented reality system user 102 to use the first lens structure110A to focus on both a first virtual object 430 that appears at therelatively close second virtual object focal plane 164 and a secondvirtual object 440 that appears at an intermediate virtual object focalplane 442. For example, the first lens structure 110A may cause thefirst virtual object 430 to appear at a first virtual object focal plane174 of about 70 centimeters (cm) and the second virtual object 440 toappear at an intermediate virtual object focal plane 442 of about 350cm. In addition, the first optical element 130 and the second opticalelement 140 included in the first lens structure 110A causes physicalobjects positioned in the field-of-view of the first lens structure 110Ato appear to the augmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distancethat is approximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164(i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).

The second lens structure 110B permits the augmented reality eyewearsystem user 102 to focus on both a first virtual object 450 that appearsat the relatively close second virtual object focal plane 164 and asecond virtual object 460 that appears at the relatively distant firstvirtual object focal plane 162. For example, the second lens structure110B may cause the first virtual object 450 to appear at the firstvirtual object focal plane 174 of about 70 centimeters (cm) and thesecond virtual object 460 to appear at a relatively distant virtualobject focal plane 162 of about 700 cm. In addition, the first opticalelement 130 and the second optical element 140 included in the secondlens structure 110B causes physical objects positioned in thefield-of-view of the second lens structure 110B to appear to theaugmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distance that isapproximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164 (i.e.,at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).

The first lens structure 110A may include one or more multi-layerwaveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrative augmentedreality system 400 depicted in FIG. 4, the first lens structure 110Aincludes a two-layer first waveguide 120 ₁ formed by a GB waveguidelayer 120A disposed proximate an RB waveguide layer 120B. The first lensstructure 110A additionally includes a two-layer second waveguide 120 ₂also formed by a GB waveguide layer 120A disposed proximate an RBwaveguide layer 120B. The first lens structure 110A may have atransmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%;greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater than about85%. In embodiments, the first lens structure 110A may have a thicknessof about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7mm or less measured along the optical axis of the first lens structure110A.

The second lens structure 110B may include one or more multi-layerwaveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrative augmentedreality system 400 depicted in FIG. 4, the second lens structure 110Aincludes a two-layer third waveguide 120 ₃ formed by a GB waveguidelayer 120A disposed proximate an RB waveguide layer 120B. The secondlens structure 110B additionally includes a two-layer fourth waveguide120 ₄ also formed by a GB waveguide layer 120A disposed proximate an RBwaveguide layer 120B. The second lens structure 110B may have atransmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%;greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater than about85%. In embodiments, the second lens structure 110B may have a thicknessof about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7mm or less measured along the optical axis of the second lens structure110B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative triple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system 500 that includes a first lensstructure 110A having: a first, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₁, asecond, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₂, a first optical element 130, asecond optical element 140; and, a second lens structure 110B having: athird, multi-layer, waveguide 120 ₃, a first optical element 130, and asecond optical element 140, in accordance with at least one embodimentdescribed herein. As depicted in FIG. 5, in embodiments, the first lensstructure 110A may include a first optical element 130 that separatesthe first, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₁ from the second,single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₂. An optically transparent fill material540 having a refractive index similar to that of the material(s) used tofabricate the first optical element 130 may be disposed to at leastpartially fill the hemispherical void space between a plano-concavefirst optical element 130 and the surface of the second waveguide 120 ₂.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the augmented reality eyewear system 500 permitsthe augmented reality system user 102 to use the first lens structure110A to focus on a first, red-green, virtual object 510 that appears atthe relatively close second virtual object focal plane 164 and a second,blue-green, virtual object 520 that appears at relatively distant, firstvirtual object focal plane 162. For example, the first lens structure110A may cause the first, red-green, virtual object 510 to appear at afirst virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70 centimeters (cm) andthe second, blue-green, virtual object 520 to appear at a second virtualobject focal plane 162 of about 700 cm. In addition, the first opticalelement 130 and the second optical element 140 included in the firstlens structure 110A causes physical objects positioned in thefield-of-view of the first lens structure 110A to appear to theaugmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distance that isapproximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164 (i.e.,at an apparent distance of about 70 cm). Note that the positioning ofthe RG waveguide 120 ₁ and the BG waveguide 120 ₂ cause a colorseparation of virtual objects viewed through the first lens system 110A.

The second lens structure 110B permits the augmented reality eyewearsystem user 102 to observe a virtual object 530 that appears at therelatively close second virtual object focal plane 164. For example, thesecond lens structure 110B may cause the virtual object 530 to appear atthe first virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70 cm. In addition,the first optical element 130 and the second optical element 140included in the second lens structure 110B causes physical objectspositioned in the field-of-view of the second lens structure 110B toappear to the augmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distancethat is approximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164(i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).

The first lens structure 110A includes the first, single-layer, RGwaveguide 120 ₁ and the second, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₂. Whencombined with the second lens structure 110B, virtual objects 510 and530 will appear in stereo in the red-green electromagnetic spectrum andvirtual object 520 will appear in mono in the blue-green electromagneticspectrum through the first lens structure 110A. The first lens structure110A may have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater thanabout 70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greaterthan about 85%. In embodiments, the first lens structure 110A may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the first lensstructure 110A.

The second lens structure 110B may include one or more multi-layerwaveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrative augmentedreality system 500 depicted in FIG. 5, the second lens structure 110Bincludes a two-layer third waveguide 120 ₃ formed by a GB waveguidelayer 120A disposed proximate an RB waveguide layer 120B. The secondlens structure 110B may have a transmittivity of: greater than about60%; greater than about 70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about80%; or greater than about 85%. In embodiments, the second lensstructure 110B may have a thickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) orless; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7 mm or less measured along theoptical axis of the second lens structure 110B.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative double focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system 600 that includes a first lensstructure 110A having: a first, two-layer waveguide 120 ₁ and a second,single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₂, a first optical element 130, and asecond optical element 140; and, a second lens structure 110B having: athird, two-layer waveguide 120 ₃ and a fourth, single-layer, BGwaveguide 120 ₄, a first optical element 130, and a second opticalelement 140, in accordance with at least one embodiment describedherein. As depicted in FIG. 6, in embodiments, the first lens structure110A includes a two-layer waveguide that includes a BG waveguide 120Adisposed proximate an RB waveguide 120B. The first optical element 130in the first lens structure 110A separates the second, single-layer, RGwaveguide 120 ₂ from the first, two-layer waveguide 120 ₁. An opticallytransparent fill material 610 having a refractive index similar to thatof the material(s) used to fabricate the first optical element 130 maybe disposed to at least partially fill the hemispherical void spacebetween a plano-concave first optical element 130 and the surface of thesecond waveguide 120 ₂. Similarly, the first optical element 130 in thesecond lens structure 110B separates the fourth, single-layer, BGwaveguide 120 ₄ from the third, two-layer waveguide 120 ₃. An opticallytransparent fill material 610 having a refractive index similar to thatof the material(s) used to fabricate the first optical element 130 maybe disposed to at least partially fill the hemispherical void spacebetween a plano-concave first optical element 130 and the surface of thefourth, BG waveguide 120 ₄.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the augmented reality eyewear system 600 permitsthe augmented reality system user 102 to use the first lens structure110A to observe virtual object 620 using both the blue-green and thered-green portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Virtual object 620appears at the relatively close second virtual object focal plane 164.For example, the first lens structure 110A may cause the virtual object620 to appear at the second virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70cm. The first lens structure 110A further permits the augmented realitysystem user 102 to observe virtual object 630 in the red-greenelectromagnetic spectrum at the relatively distant first virtual objectfocal plane 162. For example, the first lens structure 110A may causethe virtual object 630 to appear in the red-green electromagneticspectrum at the first virtual object focal plane 162 of about 350 cm.

Further, the augmented reality eyewear system 600 permits the augmentedreality system user 102 to use the second lens structure 110A to observevirtual object 640 using both the blue-green and the red-green portionsof the electromagnetic spectrum. Using the second lens structure 110B,virtual object 640 appears at the relatively close second virtual objectfocal plane 164. For example, the second lens structure 110B may causethe virtual object 640 to appear at the second, relatively close,virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70 cm. The second lens structure110B permits the augmented reality system user 102 to observe virtualobject 630 in the red-green electromagnetic spectrum at the relativelydistant first virtual object focal plane 162. For example, the secondlens structure 110A may cause the virtual object 630 to appear in thered-green electromagnetic spectrum at the first virtual object focalplane 162 of about 350 cm.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the first optical element 130 and the secondoptical element 140 included in the first lens structure 110A causesphysical objects positioned in the field-of-view of the first lensstructure 110A to appear to the augmented reality eyewear system user102 at a distance that is approximately equal to the second virtualobject focal plane 164 (i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).Similarly, the first optical element 130 and the second optical element140 included in the second lens structure 110B causes physical objectspositioned in the field-of-view of the second lens structure 110B toappear to the augmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distancethat is approximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164(i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).

The first lens structure 110A may include one or more multi-layerwaveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrative augmentedreality system 600 depicted in FIG. 6, the first lens structure 110Aincludes a two-layer, first waveguide 120 ₁ formed by a GB waveguidelayer 120A disposed proximate an RB waveguide layer 120B. The first lensstructure 110A further includes a single-layer, second waveguide 120 ₂formed using an RB waveguide layer. The first lens structure 110A mayhave a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the first lens structure 110A may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the first lensstructure 110A.

The second lens structure 110B may include one or more multi-layerwaveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrative augmentedreality system 600 depicted in FIG. 6, the second lens structure 110Bincludes a two-layer, third waveguide 120 ₃ formed by a GB waveguidelayer 120A disposed proximate an RB waveguide layer 120B. The secondlens structure 110B further includes a single-layer, fourth waveguide120 ₄ formed using a BG waveguide layer. The second lens structure 110Bmay have a transmittivity of: greater than about 60%; greater than about70%; greater than about 75%; greater than about 80%; or greater thanabout 85%. In embodiments, the second lens structure 110B may have athickness of about: 10 millimeters (mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm orless; or 7 mm or less measured along the optical axis of the second lensstructure 110B.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative quadruple focal planeaugmented reality eyewear system 700 that includes a first lensstructure 110A having: a first, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₁, asecond, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₂, a third, single-layer, RGwaveguide 120 ₃, a first optical element 130, a second optical element140, a third optical element 720, and a fourth optical element 730; and,a second lens structure 110B having: a fourth, single-layer BG waveguide120 ₄, a fifth, single-layer, RB waveguide 120 ₅, and a sixth,single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₆, a first optical element 130, a secondoptical element 140, and a third optical element 720, in accordance withat least one embodiment described herein. As depicted in FIG. 7, withinthe first lens structure 110A, the second, BG waveguide 120 ₂ separatesthe first optical element 130 from the third optical element 720 and thethird, RG waveguide 120 ₃ separates the third optical element 720 fromthe fourth optical element 730. Within the second lens structure 110B,the fifth, RG waveguide 120 ₅ separates the first optical element 130from the third optical element 720 and the sixth, BG waveguide 120 ₆ isdisposed proximate the third optical element 730.

Within the first lens structure 110A, an optically transparent fillmaterial 710 having a refractive index similar to that of thematerial(s) used to fabricate the first optical element 130 may bedisposed to at least partially fill the hemispherical void spacesbetween the plano-concave first optical element 130 and the second BGwaveguide 120 ₂ and also between the second optical element 720 and thethird RG waveguide 120 ₃. Similarly, within the second lens structure110B, an optically transparent fill material 710 having a refractiveindex similar to that of the material(s) used to fabricate the firstoptical element 130 may be disposed to at least partially fill thehemispherical void spaces between the plano-concave first opticalelement 130 and the fifth RG waveguide 120 ₅ and also between the secondoptical element 720 and the sixth BG waveguide 120 ₆.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the augmented reality eyewear system 700 permitsthe augmented reality system user 102 to use the first lens structure110A to observe virtual object 740 using both the blue-green and thered-green portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Virtual object 740appears at the relatively close second virtual object focal plane 164.For example, the first lens structure 110A may cause the virtual object740 to appear at the second virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70cm. The first lens structure 110A further permits the augmented realitysystem user 102 to observe virtual object 750 at a first intermediatevirtual object focal plane 752. For example, the first lens structure110A may cause the virtual object 750 to appear at the firstintermediate virtual object focal plane 752 of about 120 cm. The firstlens structure 110A further permits the augmented reality system user102 to observe virtual object 760 primarily in the red-greenelectromagnetic spectrum at a second intermediate virtual object focalplane 762. For example, the first lens structure 110A may cause thevirtual object 760 to appear primarily in the red-green electromagneticspectrum at the second intermediate virtual object focal plane 762 ofabout 170 cm.

Further, the augmented reality eyewear system 700 permits the augmentedreality system user 102 to use the second lens structure 110A to observevirtual object 770 using both the blue-green and the red-green portionsof the electromagnetic spectrum. Using the second lens structure 110B,virtual object 770 appears at the relatively close second virtual objectfocal plane 164. For example, the second lens structure 110B may causethe virtual object 770 to appear at the second, relatively close,virtual object focal plane 164 of about 70 cm. The second lens structure110B permits the augmented reality system user 102 to observe virtualobject 780 at the first intermediate virtual object focal plane 752. Forexample, the second lens structure 110B may cause the virtual object 780to appear at the first intermediate virtual object focal plane 752 ofabout 120 cm. The second lens structure 110B permits the augmentedreality system user 102 to observe virtual object 790 primarily in theblue-green electromagnetic spectrum at the relatively distant firstvirtual object focal plane 162. For example, the second lens structure110B may cause the virtual object 790 to appear primarily in theblue-green electromagnetic spectrum at the first virtual object focalplane 162 of about 350 cm.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the first optical element 130 and the secondoptical element 140 included in the first lens structure 110A causesphysical objects positioned in the field-of-view of the first lensstructure 110A to appear to the augmented reality eyewear system user102 at a distance that is approximately equal to the second virtualobject focal plane 164 (i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).Similarly, the first optical element 130 and the second optical element140 included in the second lens structure 110B causes physical objectspositioned in the field-of-view of the second lens structure 110B toappear to the augmented reality eyewear system user 102 at a distancethat is approximately equal to the second virtual object focal plane 164(i.e., at an apparent distance of about 70 cm).

The first lens structure 110A may include one or more single- and/ormulti-layer waveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrativeaugmented reality system 700 depicted in FIG. 7, the first lensstructure 110A includes a first waveguide 120 ₁ formed by a RBwaveguide, a second waveguide 120 ₂ formed by a single-layer, BGwaveguide, and a third waveguide 120 ₃ formed by a single-layer, RGwaveguide. The first lens structure 110A may have a transmittivity of:greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%; greater than about 75%;greater than about 80%; or greater than about 85%. In embodiments, thefirst lens structure 110A may have a thickness of about: 10 millimeters(mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7 mm or less measured alongthe optical axis of the first lens structure 110A.

The second lens structure 110B may include one or more single- and/ormulti-layer waveguides 120. In embodiments, such as the illustrativeaugmented reality system 700 depicted in FIG. 7, the second lensstructure 110B includes a fourth waveguide 120 ₄ formed by a BGwaveguide, a fifth waveguide 120 ₅ formed by a single-layer, RGwaveguide, and a sixth waveguide 120 ₆ formed by a single-layer, BGwaveguide. The second lens structure 110B may have a transmittivity of:greater than about 60%; greater than about 70%; greater than about 75%;greater than about 80%; or greater than about 85%. In embodiments, thesecond lens structure 110B may have a thickness of about: 10 millimeters(mm) or less; 9 mm or less; 8 mm or less; or 7 mm or less measured alongthe optical axis of the second lens structure 110B.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dual focal plane,stereoscopic, augmented reality eyewear system 800A that includes afirst lens structure 110A having: a first, single-layer, BG waveguide120 ₁, a second, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₂, a first opticalelement 130, and a second optical element 140; and, a second lensstructure 110B having: a third, single-layer RG waveguide 120 ₃, afourth, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₄, a first optical element 130,and a second optical element 140, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein. The augmented reality eyewear system 800generates a stereo approximation of a virtual object appearing at therelatively close, second virtual object focal plane 164 by providing asmuch object content as possible in different portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum to both eyes.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 8A, the red dominant points on virtualobject 820 appear to the augmented reality eyewear system user 102 onthe second, relatively close, virtual object focal plane 164 of thesecond lens structure 110B and on the third, single-layer, RG waveguide120 ₃. Using one or more configurable metrics, a “stereo counterpart” ofthe red-dominant object point is generated for the overlapping spectrumand rendered to the relatively close, virtual object focal plane 164 ofthe first lens structure 110A and on the first, single-layer BGwaveguide 120 ₁. Blue-dominant points on virtual object 810 may beanalogously handled by alternating the virtual object input between thefirst lens structure 110A and the second lens structure 110B.Green-dominant points on the virtual object 820 may be directly renderedby both the first lens structure 110A and/or the second lens structure110B.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dual focal plane,stereoscopic, augmented reality eyewear system 800B that includes afirst lens structure 110A having: a first, single-layer, BG waveguide120 ₁, a second, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₂, a first opticalelement 130, and a second optical element 140; and, a second lensstructure 110B having: a third, single-layer RG waveguide 120 ₃, afourth, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₄, a first optical element 130,and a second optical element 140, in accordance with at least oneembodiment described herein. The augmented reality eyewear system 800Bgenerates a stereo approximation of a virtual object appearing at thefirst, relatively distant, virtual object focal plane 162 by providingas much object content as possible in different portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum via both the first lens structure 110A and thesecond lens structure 110B.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 8B, the augmented reality eyewearsystem user 102 may observe red dominant points on virtual object 810may be displayed in both the RG electromagnetic spectrum and the BGelectromagnetic spectrum via the first lens structure 110A, and via thesecond, single-layer, RG waveguide 120 ₂. The second lens structure 110Bprovides the stereo counterpart to the augmented reality eyewear systemuser 102 and via the fourth, single-layer, BG waveguide 120 ₄.Blue-dominant points on virtual object 820 may be analogously handled byalternating the virtual object input between the first lens structure110A and the second lens structure 110B. Green-dominant points on thevirtual object 820 may be directly rendered by both the first lensstructure 110A and/or the second lens structure 110B.

FIG. 9A is an elevation of an illustrative bifocal augmented realityeyewear system 900A that includes an upper portion capable of displayingvirtual objects at the first, relatively distant, virtual object focalplane 162 and a lower portion capable of displaying virtual objects atthe second, relatively close, virtual object focal plane 164, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein. FIG. 9B is across-sectional elevation of the bifocal lens depicted in FIG. 9A thatmore clearly depicts the two-layer waveguide 120 disposed between thefirst optical element 130 and the second optical element 140, inaccordance with at least one embodiment described herein.

As depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the augmented reality eyewear system900A may include a waveguide 120 that covers at least a portion of anupper portion 910B of the lens. The portion of the waveguide 120disposed proximate the upper portion 910B allows the augmented realityeyewear system user 102 to observe virtual objects that appear at thefirst, relatively distant, virtual object focal plane 162. The portionof the waveguide 120 disposed proximate the lower portion 910A allowsthe augmented reality eyewear system user 102 to observe virtual objectsthat appear at the second, relatively close, virtual object focal plane164.

As depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the two-layer waveguide 120 may includea BG waveguide 120A disposed proximate a RG waveguide 120B. Thewaveguide 120 may be disposed between the first optical element 130 andthe second optical element 140. The two-layer waveguide 120 may beembedded into the lens stack to support a display of one or more virtualobjects at both the relatively distant, first virtual object focal plane162 and the relatively close, second virtual object focal plane 164. Inthe embodiments, the first optical element 130 may include aplano-convex lens 130 disposed proximate a first surface of thewaveguide 120 and the second optical element 140 may include aplano-concave lens 140 disposed proximate a second surface of thewaveguide 120.

Although FIGS. 2 through 9 depict illustrative lens structurearrangements, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will readilyappreciate that the optical elements and waveguide layers describedherein may be reconfigured in a large number of alternate arrangementsusing single-layer waveguides, multi-layer waveguides, simple lenses,compound lenses, and combinations thereof. Such alternative arrangementsshould be considered as included within the scope of this disclosure.

As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined bythe term “and/or” can mean any combination of the listed items. Forexample, the phrase “A, B and/or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C;B and C; or A, B and C. As used in this application and in the claims, alist of items joined by the term “at least one of” can mean anycombination of the listed terms. For example, the phrases “at least oneof A, B or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B andC.

As used in any embodiment herein, the terms “system” or “module” mayrefer to, for example, software, firmware and/or circuitry configured toperform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodiedas a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or datarecorded on non-transitory computer readable storage mediums and/ordevices. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instructionsets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memorydevices.

As used in any embodiment herein, the term “circuitry” may comprise, forexample, singly or in any combination, hardwired circuitry, programmablecircuitry such as computer processors comprising one or more individualinstruction processing cores, state machine circuitry, and/or firmwarethat stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry or futurecomputing paradigms including, for example, massive parallelism, analogor quantum computing, hardware embodiments of accelerators such asneural net processors and non-silicon implementations of the above. Thecircuitry may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitrythat forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit(IC), system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers, servers, smartphones, etc.

Any of the operations described herein may be implemented in a systemthat includes one or more mediums (e.g., non-transitory storage mediums)having stored therein, individually or in combination, instructions thatwhen executed by one or more processors perform the methods. Here, theprocessor may include, for example, a server CPU, a mobile device CPU,and/or other programmable circuitry. Also, it is intended thatoperations described herein may be distributed across a plurality ofphysical devices, such as processing structures at more than onedifferent physical location. The storage medium may include any type oftangible medium, for example, any type of disk including hard disks,floppy disks, optical disks, compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs),compact disk rewritables (CD-RWs), and magneto-optical disks,semiconductor devices such as read-only memories (ROMs), random accessmemories (RAMs) such as dynamic and static RAMs, erasable programmableread-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), flash memories, Solid State Disks (SSDs),embedded multimedia cards (eMMCs), secure digital input/output (SDIO)cards, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions. Other embodiments may be implemented assoftware executed by a programmable control device.

Thus, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods forproviding an augmented reality system having one or more opticalstructures capable of resolving virtual objects on one or more virtualobject focal planes while providing a sufficient level of transmittivityand optical correction to simultaneously resolve real-world, physical,objects. The lens structures include a plurality of waveguide layersincluding waveguide layers demonstrating red-green sensitivity andwaveguide layers demonstrating blue-green sensitivity. One or moreplano-concave lenses may be used to draw virtual objects from arelatively distant first virtual object focal plane to a relativelycloser second virtual object focal plane. One or more plano-convexlenses may be used to cause physical objects to appear at a distancefrom the augmented reality eyewear system approximately equal to thesecond virtual object focal plane.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. The followingexamples of the present disclosure may comprise subject material such asat least one device, a method, at least one machine-readable medium forstoring instructions that when executed cause a machine to perform actsbased on the method, means for providing an augmented reality systemhaving one or more optical structures capable of resolving virtualobjects on one or more virtual object focal planes while providing asufficient level of transmittivity and optical correction tosimultaneously resolve real-world, physical, objects.

According to example 1, there is provided an augmented reality visionsystem. The system may include: a lens structure including: a waveguideemissive of at least a portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum,the waveguide having a first surface and a transversely opposed secondsurface, the waveguide to: receive one or more signals including dataassociated with a virtual object and to emit the electromagnetic energyassociated with the virtual object; and pass at least a portion ofelectromagnetic energy reflected by a physical object appearing within afield-of-view of the lens structure; a first optical element disposedproximate the second surface of the waveguide, the first optical elementpositioned between the waveguide and a user's eye; the first opticalelement to: pass at least a portion of the electromagnetic energyassociated with the virtual object emitted by the waveguide and at leasta portion of the electromagnetic energy reflected by the physical objectappearing within the field-of-view of the lens structure; and cause theaugmented reality object to focus at a second focal plane; a secondoptical element disposed proximate the first surface of the waveguide,the first convex optical element to: pass only the electromagneticenergy reflected by the physical object appearing within thefield-of-view of the lens structure; and cause the physical object toappear at the second focal plane.

Example 2 may include elements of example 1 where the waveguide mayadditionally include: a first waveguide emissive of a first portion ofthe visible electromagnetic spectrum; and a second waveguide emissive ofa second portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondwaveguide disposed proximate the first waveguide such that the firstwaveguide provides at least a portion of the first surface of thewaveguide and the second waveguide provides at least a portion of thesecond surface of the waveguide.

Example 3 may include elements of any of examples 1 or 2 where the firstoptical element comprises a plano-concave optical element; and where thesecond optical element comprises a plano-convex optical element.

Example 4 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 3 where thefirst portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum includes at leastvisible wavelengths from about 390 nanometers to about 600 nm; and wherethe second portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum includes atleast visible wavelengths from about 500 nm to about 760 nm.

Example 5 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 4 where thewaveguide comprises a waveguide having a thickness measured along anoptical axis of the lens structure of about 3.5 millimeters or less.

Example 6 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 5 where thelens structure comprises a lens having a thickness measured along theoptical axis of the lens structure of about 8 millimeters or less.

Example 7 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 6 where thelens structure comprises a lens structure having a transmittivity of atleast 70%.

According to example 8, there is provided an augmented reality eyewearapparatus. The apparatus may include: a first lens structure having afirst optical axis and a minimum transmittivity of at least 70%, thefirst lens structure including: a first waveguide disposed transverse tothe first optical axis and positioned at least partially between aplano-concave optical element positioned between the first waveguide anda user's eye and a plano-convex optical element positioned on a side ofthe first waveguide opposite the first optical element, the firstwaveguide to emit an image of a virtual object using at least a portionof the visible electromagnetic spectrum; the plano-concave opticalelement to pass at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic energyassociated with the virtual object and at least a portion of theelectromagnetic energy reflected by a physical object appearing within afield-of-view of the first lens structure; and the plano-convex opticalelement to pass only the electromagnetic energy reflected by thephysical object appearing within the field-of-view of the lensstructure; a second lens structure having a second optical axis and aminimum transmittivity of at least 70%, the second lens structureincluding: a second waveguide disposed transverse to the second opticalaxis and positioned at least partially between a plano-concave opticalelement positioned between the second waveguide and the user's eye and aplano-convex optical element positioned on a side of the secondwaveguide opposite the first optical element, the second waveguide toemit an image of a virtual object using at least a portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; the plano-concave optical element topass at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy associatedwith the virtual object and at least a portion of the electromagneticenergy reflected by the physical object appearing within thefield-of-view of the second lens structure; and the plano-convex opticalelement to pass only the electromagnetic energy reflected by thephysical object appearing within the field-of-view of the second lensstructure; and a frame physically coupling the first lens structure tothe second lens structure.

Example 9 may include elements of example 8 where, in the first lensstructure: the first waveguide comprises a first waveguide portiondisposed between the plan-concave optical element and the plano-convexoptical element and a second waveguide portion disposed between theplano-concave optical element and the user's eye to provide a dual focalplane first lens structure.

Example 10 may include elements of any of examples 8 or 9 where, in thesecond lens structure, the second waveguide comprises a first waveguideportion disposed between the plano-concave optical element and theplano-convex optical element and a second waveguide portion disposedbetween the plano-concave optical element and the user's eye to providea dual focal plane first lens structure.

Example 11 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 10 wherethe first lens structure further includes a second plano-concave opticalelement; where the first waveguide comprises a first waveguide portiondisposed between the plano-concave optical element and the plano-convexoptical element and a second waveguide portion disposed between theplano-concave optical element and the second plano-concave opticalelement; user's eye to provide a dual focal plane first lens structure;and where the second waveguide comprises a first waveguide portiondisposed between the plano-concave optical element and the plano-convexoptical element and a second waveguide portion disposed between theplano-concave optical element and the user's eye to provide a dual focalplane second lens structure.

Example 12 may include elements 8 through 11 where the first waveguideportion of the first waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit a firstportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and where the secondwaveguide portion of the first waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit asecond portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including primarily wavelengthsin the blue to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.

Example 13 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 12 where,in the second lens structure, the second waveguide comprises a firstwaveguide portion disposed between the first optical element and thesecond optical element and a second waveguide portion disposed betweenthe second optical element and the user's eye to provide a dual focalplane first lens structure; where the first waveguide portion of thesecond waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit a first portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and where the second waveguide portionof the second waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit a second portionof the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the blue to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.

Example 14 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 13 wherethe first waveguide portion of the first waveguide comprises a waveguideto emit a first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, thefirst portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths inthe red to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; andwhere the second waveguide portion of the first waveguide comprises awaveguide to emit a second portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum, the second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum includingwavelengths in the blue to green portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum.

Example 15 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 14 wherethe second waveguide comprises a first waveguide portion disposedproximate a second waveguide portion; where the first portion of thesecond waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit a first portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum, the first portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the blue to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and where the secondwaveguide portion of the second waveguide comprises a waveguide to emita second portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the redto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.

Example 16 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 15 wherethe first lens structure includes a second waveguide to emit a secondportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the second waveguidedisposed between the plano-concave optical element and the user's eye,the second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengthsin the red to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; andwhere, in the first lens structure, where the first waveguide comprisesa first waveguide portion disposed proximate a second waveguide portion;where the first portion of the first waveguide comprises a waveguide toemit a first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the firstportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in theblue to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and wherethe second portion of the first waveguide comprises a waveguide to emita second portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the redto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; where thesecond lens structure includes a second waveguide to emit a secondportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the second waveguidedisposed between the plano-concave optical element and the user's eye,the second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengthsin the blue to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum;and where, in the second lens structure, where the first waveguidecomprises a first waveguide portion disposed proximate a secondwaveguide portion; where the first portion of the first waveguidecomprises a waveguide to emit a first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the first portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and where the second portion of thefirst waveguide comprises a waveguide to emit a second portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the red to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.

Example 17 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 16 wherethe first waveguide included in the first lens structure includes awaveguide to emit a first portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum that includes wavelengths in the red to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; where the first lens structureprovides three focal planes and further includes: a second plano-concavelens; a third plano-concave lens; a second waveguide positioned betweenthe plano-concave lens and the second plano-concave lens, the secondwaveguide to emit a second portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum that includes wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and a third waveguide positionedbetween the second plano-concave lens and the third plano-concave lens,the third waveguide to emit the first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum; wherein the first waveguide included in thesecond lens structure includes a waveguide to emit the second portion ofthe visible electromagnetic spectrum; wherein the second lens structureprovides three focal planes and further includes: a second plano-concavelens; a second waveguide positioned between the plano-concave lens andthe second plano-concave lens, the second waveguide to emit the firstportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and a third waveguidepositioned between the second plano-concave lens and the user's eye, thethird waveguide to emit the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum.

Example 18 may include elements of any of examples 8 through 17 wherethe first lens structure further comprises a second waveguide disposedtransverse to the first optical axis and positioned between theplano-concave lens and the user's eye: the second waveguide to emit afirst portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum that includeswavelengths in the red to green portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum; and the first waveguide to emit a second portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum that includes wavelengths in the blueto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and where thesecond lens structure further comprises a second waveguide disposedtransverse to the second optical axis and positioned between theplano-concave lens and the user's eye: the second waveguide in thesecond lens structure to emit the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum; and the first waveguide in the second lensstructure to emit the first portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention,in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalentsof the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it isrecognized that various modifications are possible within the scope ofthe claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all suchequivalents. Various features, aspects, and embodiments have beendescribed herein. The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptibleto combination with one another as well as to variation andmodification, as will be understood by those having skill in the art.The present disclosure should, therefore, be considered to encompasssuch combinations, variations, and modifications.

As described herein, various embodiments may be implemented usinghardware elements, software elements, or any combination thereof.Examples of hardware elements may include processors, microprocessors,circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors,inductors, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digitalsignal processors (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logicgates, registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets,and so forth.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An augmented reality vision system comprising: alens structure including: a waveguide coupleable to an image source, thewaveguide having a first surface and a transversely opposed secondsurface, the waveguide to: output a human-visible image of a virtualobject using at least a portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum;and pass at least a portion of electromagnetic energy reflected by aphysical object appearing within a field-of-view of the lens structure;wherein the waveguide includes: a first waveguide transmissive of afirst portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and a secondwaveguide transmissive of a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the second waveguide disposed proximate thefirst waveguide such that the first waveguide provides at least aportion of the first surface of the waveguide and the second waveguideprovides at least a portion of the second surface of the waveguide; afirst optical element disposed proximate the second surface of thewaveguide, the first optical element positioned between the waveguideand an augmented reality system user, the first optical element to: passthe human-visible image of the virtual object and at least a portion ofthe electromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearingwithin the field-of-view of the lens structure; and draw thehuman-visible virtual object from a first, relatively distant, virtualobject focal plane to a second, relatively close, virtual object focalplane; a second optical element disposed proximate the first surface ofthe waveguide, the second optical element to: pass only theelectromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearing withinthe field-of-view of the lens structure; and cause the physical objectto appear to the augmented reality system user at a distance about equalto the second, relatively close, virtual object focal plane.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1: wherein the first optical element includes aplano-concave optical element; and wherein the second optical elementincludes a plano-convex optical element.
 3. The system of claim 1:wherein the first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrumincludes at least visible wavelengths from about 390 nanometers (nm) toabout 600 nm; and wherein the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum includes at least visible wavelengths fromabout 500 nm to about 760 nm.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein thewaveguide has a thickness measured along an optical axis of the lensstructure of about 5.0 millimeters or less.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein the lens structure includes a lens having a thickness measuredalong the optical axis of the lens structure of about 10.0 millimetersor less.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the lens structure includes alens structure having a transmissivity of at least 70%.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the waveguide includes a triple-layer waveguide.
 8. Anaugmented reality eyewear apparatus comprising: a first lens structurehaving a first optical axis and a minimum transmissivity of at least70%, the first lens structure including: a first waveguide disposedtransverse to the first optical axis and positioned at least partiallybetween a first plano-concave optical element and an augmented realityeyewear user and a first plano-convex optical element positioned on aside of the first waveguide opposite the plano-concave optical element,the first waveguide to output a human-visible image of a virtual objectusing a first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; the firstplano-concave optical element to pass the human-visible image of thevirtual object and at least a portion of the electromagnetic energyreflected by a physical object appearing within the field-of-view of thefirst lens structure; and the first plano-convex optical element to passonly the electromagnetic energy reflected by the physical objectappearing within the field-of-view of the first lens structure; a secondlens structure having a second optical axis and a minimum transmissivityof at least 70%, the second lens structure including: a second waveguidedisposed transverse to the second optical axis and positioned at leastpartially between a second plano-concave optical element and theaugmented reality eyewear user and a second plano-convex optical elementpositioned on a side of the second waveguide opposite the secondplano-concave optical element, the second waveguide to output a secondhuman-visible image of a virtual object using a second portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum different than the first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum; the second plano-concave optical element topass at least a portion of the second human-visible image of a virtualobject and at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy reflected bythe physical object appearing within the field-of-view of the secondlens structure; and the second plano-convex optical element to pass onlythe electromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearingwithin the field-of-view of the second lens structure; and a framephysically coupling the first lens structure to the second lensstructure.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8: wherein, in the first lensstructure: the first waveguide includes a first waveguide portiondisposed between the first plano-concave optical element and the firstplano-convex optical element and a second waveguide portion disposedbetween the first plano-concave optical element and the augmentedreality eyewear user to provide a first dual focal plane lens structure.10. The apparatus of claim 9: wherein, in the second lens structure: thesecond waveguide includes a third waveguide portion disposed between thesecond plano-concave optical element and the second plano-convex opticalelement and a fourth waveguide portion disposed between the secondplano-concave optical element and the augmented reality eyewear user toprovide a second dual focal plane lens structure.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9: wherein the first lens structure further includes a thirdplano-concave optical element; wherein the first waveguide includes afirst waveguide portion disposed between the first plano-concave opticalelement and the first plano-convex optical element and a secondwaveguide portion disposed between the first plano-concave opticalelement and the third plano-concave optical element to provide a firstdual focal plane lens structure; and wherein the second waveguideincludes a third waveguide portion disposed between the secondplano-concave optical element and the second plano-convex opticalelement and a second waveguide portion disposed between the secondplano-concave optical element and the augmented reality eyewear user toprovide a second dual focal plane lens structure.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9: wherein the first waveguide portion of the first waveguideincludes a waveguide to provide human-visible output using a firstportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and wherein the secondwaveguide portion of the first waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of the electromagneticspectrum including primarily wavelengths in the blue to green portion ofthe visible electromagnetic spectrum.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12:wherein, in the second lens structure: the second waveguide includes afirst waveguide portion disposed between the second plano-concaveoptical element and the second plano-convex optical element and a secondwaveguide portion disposed between the second plano-convex opticalelement and the augmented reality eyewear user to provide a second dualfocal plane lens structure; wherein the first waveguide portion of thesecond waveguide includes a waveguide to provide human-visible outputusing a first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; andwherein the second waveguide portion of the second waveguide includes awaveguide to provide human-visible output using a second portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the blue to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 9: wherein the first waveguide portion of the first waveguideincludes a waveguide to provide human-visible output using a firstportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the first portion ofthe electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the red to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and wherein the secondwaveguide portion of the first waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14: whereinthe second waveguide includes a first waveguide portion disposedproximate a second waveguide portion; wherein the first waveguideportion of the second waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the first portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and wherein the second waveguideportion of the second waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the second portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the red to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9: whereinthe first lens structure includes a third waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the third waveguide disposed between the firstplano-concave optical element and the augmented reality eyewear user,the second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengthsin the red to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; andwherein, in the first lens structure: the first waveguide includes afirst waveguide portion disposed proximate a second waveguide portion;the first portion of the first waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using the first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the first portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and the second portion of the firstwaveguide includes a waveguide to provide human-visible output using thesecond portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the redto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; wherein thesecond lens structure includes a fourth waveguide to providehuman-visible output using a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the fourth waveguide disposed between theplano-concave optical element and the augmented reality eyewear user,the second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengthsin the blue to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum;and wherein, in the second lens structure: the first waveguide includesa first waveguide portion disposed proximate a second waveguide portion;the first portion of the first waveguide includes a waveguide to providehuman-visible output using the first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the first portion of the electromagneticspectrum including wavelengths in the blue to green portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum; and the second portion of the firstwaveguide includes a waveguide to provide human-visible output using thesecond portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, the secondportion of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths in the redto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 9: wherein the first waveguide included in the firstlens structure includes a waveguide to provide human-visible outputusing a first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum thatincludes wavelengths in the red to green portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, wherein the first lens structure providesthree focal planes and further includes: a third plano-concave lens; afourth plano-concave lens; a third waveguide positioned between thefirst plano-concave lens and the third plano-concave lens, the thirdwaveguide to provide human-visible output using a third portion of thevisible electromagnetic spectrum that includes wavelengths in the blueto green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and a fourthwaveguide positioned between the third plano-concave lens and the fourthplano-concave lens, the fourth waveguide to provide human-visible outputusing the first portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; whereinthe first waveguide included in the second lens structure includes awaveguide to provide human-visible output using the second portion ofthe visible electromagnetic spectrum; wherein the second lens structureprovides three focal planes and further includes: a fifth plano-concavelens; a fourth waveguide positioned between the second plano-concavelens and the fifth plano-concave lens, the fourth waveguide to providehuman-visible output using the first portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum; and a fifth waveguide positioned between thefifth plano-concave lens and the augmented reality eyewear user, thefifth waveguide to provide human-visible output using the second portionof the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9:wherein the first lens structure further includes a third waveguidedisposed transverse to the first optical axis and positioned between thefirst plano-concave lens and the augmented reality eyewear user: thethird waveguide to provide human-visible output using the first portionof the visible electromagnetic spectrum that includes wavelengths in thered to green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and thefirst waveguide to emit the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum that includes wavelengths in the blue to greenportion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and wherein the secondlens structure further includes a fourth waveguide disposed transverseto the second optical axis and positioned between the secondplano-concave lens and the user's eye: the fourth waveguide in thesecond lens structure to emit the second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum; and the second waveguide in the second lensstructure to emit the first portion of the visible electromagneticspectrum.
 19. An augmented reality lens system comprising: a lensstructure including: a waveguide coupleable to an image source, thewaveguide having a first surface and a transversely opposed secondsurface, the waveguide to: output a human-visible image of a virtualobject using at least a portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum;and pass at least a portion of electromagnetic energy reflected by aphysical object appearing within a field-of-view of the lens structure;wherein the waveguide includes: a first waveguide transmissive of afirst portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum; and a secondwaveguide transmissive of a second portion of the visibleelectromagnetic spectrum, the second waveguide disposed proximate thefirst waveguide such that the first waveguide provides at least aportion of the first surface of the waveguide and the second waveguideprovides at least a portion of the second surface of the waveguide; aplano-concave optical element disposed proximate a first portion of thesecond surface of the waveguide, the plano-concave optical elementpositioned between the waveguide and an augmented reality system user,the plano-concave optical element to: pass the human-visible image ofthe virtual object and at least a portion of the electromagnetic energyreflected by the physical object appearing within the field-of-view ofthe lens structure; and draw the human-visible virtual object from afirst, relatively distant, virtual object focal plane to a second,relatively close, virtual object focal plane.
 20. The augmented realitylens system of claim 19 further including: a plano-convex opticalelement disposed proximate a first portion of the first surface of thewaveguide, the plano-convex optical element to: pass only theelectromagnetic energy reflected by the physical object appearing withinthe field-of-view of the lens structure; and cause the physical objectto appear to the augmented reality system user at a distance about equalto the second, relatively close, virtual object focal plane.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, further including: a non-corrective optical elementdisposed proximate a second portion of the second surface of thewaveguide, the plano-concave optical element positioned between thewaveguide and the augmented reality system user, the plano-concaveoptical element to: pass the human-visible image of the virtual objectand at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy reflected by thephysical object appearing within the field-of-view of the lensstructure; and draw the human-visible virtual object from a first,relatively distant, virtual object focal plane to a second, relativelyclose, virtual object focal plane.
 22. The system of claim 20 whereinthe first portion of the first surface of the waveguide aligns with thefirst portion of the second surface of the waveguide.